Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
When you are unable to work because of a non-work related injury or illness (including pregnancy), you may be eligible for disability benefits. Disability benefits can provide a source of continuing income while you are unable to work. There are two types of disability benefits:
- Short-Term Disability (STD) - The university provides basic coverage at no cost to you: 50 percent of your income, up to $500 a week. You may increase your coverage to 60% or 66.67%.
After you’ve been unable to work for 30 continuous days, Short-term Disability (STD) payments begin on day 31 or whenever your sick leave is exhausted (whichever is greater). Short Term Disability (STD) continues until you are medically able to return to work, up to six months from your last day worked.
- Long-Term Disability (LTD) - The university provides basic coverage at no cost to you; 50% of your income up to $2,000 a month. You may increase your coverage to 60% or 66.67%. After six months of Short-Term Disability (STD) benefit payments, Long-term Disability (LTD) benefit payments may be available.
View the Disability At A Glance for contribution and coverage information. Additional information can be found in the Summary Plan Description.
Additional Information and Instructions
Contact The Standard within 30 days before or after you disability occurs (or as soon as reasonably possible).
- Call 855-758-4773, Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pacific Time)
- Have the following information available:
- University of Idaho Plan # 649326
- Your department and last day of active, full-time or regularly scheduled work
- Manager's name and phone number
- Nature of the claim and whether it is work-related
- Your social security number
- Treating physician's name, address and phone number
In addition, please contact:
- Benefit Services at 208-885-3638 or benefits@uidaho.edu to inform them of your last regular day worked and that you have applied for disability benefits.
- Your physician; you will need to authorize them to release medical information to The Standard so The Standard is able to determine your disability claim.
FAQs About Short and Long-Term Disability Benefits
Log in to your VandalWeb account and click on myBenefits (under employee tab) and view your benefit elections.
The Standard will begin processing your information to ensure there are no delays in receiving your long-term disability benefits.
No, however you may be eligible for long-term disability benefits (if out for six months or longer). Payments are offset by Workers' Compensation income benefits.
Yes, however, your short-term disability benefit will be reduced by the income you receive from your half-time salary.
Yes, you will be advised how many hours you can use when you are approved for short-term disability benefits.
What if I don't have enough sick leave to reach day 31 when short-term disability benefits activate?
The Shared Leave program is available for these situations. Please refer to the Shared Leave Policy (FSH 3710, K).
The payments will be sent directly to you from The Standard. Short Term Disability is paid weekly, Long Term Disability is paid monthly.